Plasterboard manufacturing machine



O. P. HAEGELE PLASTERBOARD MANUFAG'IJURNG MACHINE Fgb.; 1o, 1942.2,272,703

ATTQRN Ki? l Feb. 10, 1942. o. P. HAL-:GELE

PLASTERBOARD MANUFACTURING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1'7, 1940 7 sheets-sheet 2Feb. 1o, 11942 o, P, HAE'GEL 2,272,703 l PLASTERBOARD MANUFACTURINGMACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 `[NI/ENTOR A TTORNE K5.

Feb. l0, 1942.l l o. P. HEGELE v `.2,272,703

PLASTERBOARD MANUFACTURING MACHINE Filed Feb. l1'?, 1940 '7 Sheets-Shed.4 I

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Feb. .10,1 1942. o.. P. HAEGELE PLASTERBOABD MANUFACTURING MACHINE FiledFeb'. 17, 1940 '7 SheetsfSheet '7 7'00L CARR/As srops sag-2 E" LEMOVEMENT -raoL @45E/AGE sraPs 33AM- BOARD TRAVEL Patented Feb.'-l0, 1942out P. menne, chicago, nl., asumir to-Uma States G poration of IllinoisApplication Fen-nary 17j 194o,.serla1 No. 319,406

25 claims. (ci. 164-16) This invention relates to a combined webmanufacturing and perforating machine and more particularly to a machinefor perforating moving webs or strips of plaster board and cutting of!or severing the web to provide perforated boards of predeterminedlengths. Also, the web may be severed into lengths which are multiplesof pre determined board lengths and scored intermediate the severed endswhereby they may later be broken at the scored lines to provide standardlength plaster boards.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine of the characterdescribed which will perforate a moving web, such as the usual plasterboard web, as it is discharged from the web forming apparatus, the webpreferably being perforated andcut into lengths while it is still in a.moist condition that is, before it is delivered to the usual dryer. Theperforations may be of any v suitable size but are preferablycomparatively ypmm Company, Chicago, Ill., a cor'- ically performed in amanner to provide a machine peculiarly'fadapted for. high speed quantityproduction.

- Plaster board web is commonly made by continuouslly 'delivering alayer of suitableplastic material onto a-moving cover strip, such as palper; vapplying another cover strip to the top of the material;foldingan'd securing the edges of the cover sheets around the edges ofthe web, and passing the web between presser rollers. Several continuouswebs are often delivered to a single conveyor which directs these websthrough a cutting machine for simultaneously cutting all of the websinto predetermined plaster board large and symmetrically spacedthroughout the extent of the boards to be out from the web. and

thesevering and scoring operations may be performed at predeterminedintermediate points'between transverse rows of perforations.

A further object is to provide an improved mechanism wherein theperforating and cutting operations are performed during the continuousmovement of the web, andin which the move. ment of the perforatorsthrough the web and simultaneously in the direction of movement of theweb isso related as to provide a more eilicient method of performing,and also wherein the punching operations may rapidly be performed in amanner to provide smooth-walled perforations and without tearing orotherwise mutilating the usual paper covering of the plaster board web.

The particular embodiment illustrated and described herein is especiallyadapted for the manufacture of so-called plaster board lath, eitherperforated or unperforated, and such lath are usually sixteen incheswide and forty-eight 1 inches long, for use with standard studding, and

are approximately three-eighths of an inch lengths. The cut'plasterboards are then delivered from the cutting machine to another conveyorby which they are directed intoa drying oven orotherwise disposed of asdesired. The perforating, severing and scoring portions of the presentinvention are therefore intended to receive, from a suitable conveyor,one or more webs as required and to perforate these webs and deliver thesevered and perforated plaster boards' to the'discharge conveyor'. e

Another object is the provision of suitable control means whereby thecutting and perforating mechanisms may accurately be synchronized withthe moving web and the web forming mechanisms so that all perforationsare accurately positioned relative to the predetermined dimensions ofthe iinished boards.

Previous perforating machines .for plaster i board have beencomparatively slow in operation and not adapted for high speed quantityproduction. The punches have been operated from a crankshaft, and, astheperforating operation takes place at .the bottom of the stroke or, inother words, while the cr ter', there is a considerable dwell o f thepunch at thick. It will'be apparent that the machine is l adapted toperforate webs of various widths and E thicknesses.

It is therefore an object to provide a combined perforating, cutting,and severing machine for a continuously moving web, in which the machineis adapted to accommodate webs such as plaster board, and the like, ofvarious'dimensions, without material adjustment of the machine and inthe bottom of the stroke. In such machines, the entire perforatingoperation takes place at the slowest part of the cycle and therefore theweb must travel at a comparatively slow speed.

Otherwise, an extremely long travel of the punch with the web, andreturn, is required.

By the use of the present invention, the speed of the web and theconsequent production of the finished boards have been increasedapproxiwhich all of the various operations are automatlo matelyseventy-five per cent or more, and clean- Vcut perforations are providedwithout tearing or 'otherwise mutilating the cover fabric.4 Also, a

substantially fiat-,end punch' or its equivalent may be used, as it isunnecessary to provide thin, knife-like cutting edges. Furthermore, asthe plug resulting from the perforation cannot enter is passing deadcenthe end of the punch, compressed air or other ejecting means is notrequired to force the plug therefrom. It merely falls by gravity or. ifthe web is at ail sticky and there is any tendency for the plug to stickto the ,end of the punch, it is thrown therefrom with considerable forcebecause of the high speed and rapid reversal of the punch. All theseimportant considerations have very materially increased production.

A further object is the provision of a plaster board perforating machinein which the speed of the punch is varied during predetermined portionsof the stroke, whereby the perforating of the upper and lower fabrics bythe punch and die, respectively, may be accomplished at differ-v entspeeds, particularly adapted to produce unmutilated perforations.

It is also an object to provide a novel type of punch structure andstripper in which the punch tip may quickly and easily be removed andreplaced.

Further objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent fromthe description and appended claims.

of this invention, adapted for simultaneously perforating and cuttingrone or more webs of plaster board or other suitable material. Certainportions of the transmission are diagrammatically illustrated.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and is takenfrom the delivery end of the machine, a portion being broken away toillustrate the conveyor mechanism for carrying away the plugs removed bythe perforating operation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the embodiment shown inFigs. 1 and 2 and is taken on a line substantially corresponding to line3--3 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the perforator carriageoperating mechanism and taken on a line substantially corresponding toline t--d of Fig. 1, the perforating elements and the support orcarriage therefor being shown in` i of the perforators and taken on aline substantially corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 3, with theperforator in its raised position.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 but withthe perforator in its low ered position assumed during theperforatingoperation.

Fig. 10 is an axial sectional view through one of the perforatingpunches. f

Fig. 11 is an end view of the perforating punch illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the synchronizedrelationship of the movements of the cutter and web-during theperforating operation.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of stripperassociated with a perforating punch.

Fig. 14 is a top view of the stripper element shown in Fig-13.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammaticview of one of vthe cutter cams and illustratesthe method of multiple scoring between severing operations.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the lembodiment illustratedcomprises side frames I and 2 having suitable cross bars such as I-beams3 to provide a rigid framework for supporting the entire mechanism. Aconveyor of any suitable type, preferably a belt supported on rollers asshown in Fig. 7, is provided to continuously deliver a web or webs 5from a remotely positioned web forming mechanism to the perforating andcutting mechanisms, from which the cut lengths are removedl by means ofadischarge conveyor` 4 (Fig. 3). The web first passes through theperforating mechanism and then between two rotatable cutter units 6 and'I positioned above and below the web, respectively, and operable totransversely cut the web into predetermined lengths as it passestherebetween.

The cutting and scoring mechanism is similar to that shown and fullydescribed in my copending application Serial No. 313,545, filed Januaryl2, 1940, and, in fact, is substantially identical therewith, exceptthat the control for intermittent rotation of the cutter units isomitted in the present instance, and the radius of the cutting .edge isincreased in each unit `6 and 1 so that the units may continuously berotated to sever the web with each revolution, to thereby provide 8having cam followers 9 transversely mounted therein and adapted tosupport elongated cutter knives I0, the cutting edges preferably beingserrated as shown in Fig. 5. The cam followers 9 are in operativeengagement with suitable cams on cam shafts II, which latter are mountedfor rotation within the hollow shafts 8. The cam shafts II are providedwith cam portions IIa cooperating with the followers 9.

The hollow cutter shafts 8 are operatively con nected together by meansof gears I2 (Fig. 5) for rotation in opposite directions and at the samespeed and are driven from a shaft I3 through a coupling I4 adapted toengage the end of the upper hollow shaft 8 as shown. A pinion I5 isremovably secured on the coupling I4 and is in driving relation with agear I6 secured on the lower cam shaft II, the upper and lower camshafts II being connected at their opposite ends for simultaneousrotation in opposite directions and at the same speed by means of gearsI1, one

of which is secured to each of the cam shafts as tary brush 8a ispositioned adjacent each cutter y unit and in a position to engage andclean each knife as it passes thereby.

It is sometimes desirable to omit the scoring 2,272,703 and sever theweb with each revolution of the cutter shafts. In order toaccomplishithis result. the pinion I may be moved out of mesh with thegear I6, which latter is provided with a sliding lpin I8 adapted to beinserted in a com-1 plementary hole I9 in the lower cutter shaftJ gearI2, thereby locking-the transmissions together so thatl all of theshafts rotatetogether at' the.

drive shaft 2| (Figs. 1, 2, and '1) through a transmission shown indetail in Fig. 6 and comprising a speed reducing'mechanism 22operatively, connected to the shaft I3 by means of gears 23. The speedreducing mechanism is driven bya. short i tion of the downward strokethereof.

' 1 and the cam shafts, II is driven from a main shaft 24 connectedthereto by means of a coul' pling 25.C The short shaft 2411s providedwith a sprocket 26 secured thereto and jconnectedby,

means of a chain 21 to a sprocket. secured on the main drive shaft 2|.The shaft 24 is -provided with a flywheel 23 having a suitable'brakemechanism and control applied thereto, which" will later be described. l

The perforating mechanisml is-driven from the shaft 24 (Fig. 6) by meansof a bevel gear trans-l adapted to freely rotate on a shortverticalshaft 33. A bevelk gear 34 is also supported lin suitablevertical shaft 33, the splines being extended sumciently to cooperatewith a driven clutch member 35vvhichv is slidably mounted on the shaft33 and provided with clutch teeth adapted for engagement bycomplementary clutch teeth (inthej gear -3I. The gear 3| forms thedriving member ofthe' clutch and the driven member 35 may be lowered'into clutch engaging position when it is desired.

to drive the perforator simultaneously with the cutting orseveringmechanism. When it is de-A 33' so that the bar thereon are verticallyreciprocated, during each rotation of the cams 39, against thecompression of springs 45. associated with each -stub shaft 43 and onwhich the bearings 42 of the bar 4I are supported. The springs cause therollers 44 of the unit accurately to follow the cams 33. Somewhatheavier springs 461 are mounted within the springs 45, and these heaviersprings are of such length and strength that they are compressed by theperforating unit only during the latter por- These heavier springsV areto enable a quicky intermediate deceleration .of the downward movementand a rapid acceleration'of the reverse movement of .1

the perforator u'nit whereby the perforating opasillustrated'di'agrammatically in Fig. l2,V and .which will b edescribedlater.

The `perforator mechanism also includes a punch and die carriagecomprising` a; frame' 41 mountedy for horizontal reciprocating movementsimultaneously withv the vertical reciprocating movement of thevperformingframe 4I. This punch and die carriage 41 comprises alower'cross bar 48, positioned below theweb andl adapted to support arow of dies, and'avery. similar upper cross bar 43 positioned above theweb for guiding' thepunches intheir vertical movement through the weband into the dies. The bars' 45 and 43 are secured together at eachendby means of a guide -block or bearing block secured thereto as showninFig. -i=` and supportedfor horizontal reciprocationon horizontalfixed'shafts 5I, one

oi? whichfis-mounted at each side ofthe lmachine f' Aso that the punchand die carriage 41 may horibearings in the casing 32 and is -splined tothe thecam shaft '38 previously referred tol (Figs. 3

may be. raised to the disengaged position shown in Fig.` 6 and retainedin raised-position by means of a set screw'i36 or other suitable means.

The driven bevel gear 34 drives a companion bevel gear 31, which vlatteris lsecuredito a transverse cam shaft 38 mounted in suitable bearings ona bell crankcam lever 53 pivoted at 53a .on

the frame. Each lever 53 is provided with a downwardly-extending arm 54which is forked at its lower end and provided with-suitable rollersengaging in a slot 55 in a collar 56 on the carriage 4'l.v One of thesecollars maybe provided `on each of the bearing blocks 5I) to cooperatewith its respective camarm, whereby with eachl rotation of the cam shaft33 the punch and die 4carriage 41 will be moved in the direction of atthe top of the frame. The shaft 38 is provided with a pair of cams39,(Figs. 23, and 4) ,for vera transverse bar or frame member 4I (Figs.3 and 1 4) on which are supported the perforators or punches. The bar 4Iisprovided withvertical end bearings 442 (Fig. 4) which are mounted forvertical reciprocation on stub shafts 43 supported .in the lframemembers I and 2. A'I'he bearings 42 are provided at their upper endswith cam follower rollers 44mounted thereon and operamovement of thewfeband at the same speed during the perforating operation and will bereturned to its original position after the punch is raised sufficientlyto clear the web. Springs 51` zontal fixedv shafts!! to cushion thestroke of the carriage and a'ord a quick reverse.

A transversel row of punches is supported foy lateral movement on thevertically reciprocating bar or frame4I and each punch comprisesa hol.low body formed of an upper hollow member 55 and an inverted cup-like,punch-holding member 53 threaded thereon (Figs.` 8 and 9). A hollowperfor-ating tip-or punchper se 53 is .threaded onto the downwardlyprojecting reduced end 53a of the cup-like body membery 53. l

The punch'body member '53 is provided at its upper end with a yoke 5Ihaving va slot 52 therein whereby the entire punch unit is suspendeduponrollers 83, which latter aremounted on the vertically reciprocatingbar 4I. This yoke and tively engaged by the previously mentioned cams7541's roller support enable horizontal reciprocating 4I- and punchessuspended o The punch body member 59 is slidably mount- 4 ed in areciprocable combined beari'ng andstrip- -per 64 mounted in the uppercarriage bar 49.

The bearing 64 is provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending angesand 65, respectively, which, together with the bottom wall of the member54, form a stripper shoe for engagingv the upper surface of the web.Springs 61 tend to urge the combined bearing and stripper downwardly tothe stripping position (Fig. 9). As the punch is withdrawn from the web,the upper end of the punch member 59 engages the inwardly extendingflange of an annular ring 68, which latter is threaded into the upperend of the bearing 64, and the combined bearing and stripper is therebyraised against the compression of the springs 61. An automaticallymovable stripper is thereby provided which snugly engages the web (Fig.9) during the downward stroke of the punch and returns to its raisedposition (Fig. 8) as soon as the punch clears the web during the upwardstroke.

The lower carriage bar 48 is provided with a row of holes 69therethrough, each arranged to support a die 10 in alignment with itsrespective punch. Each die 10 may be clamped in its opening 59 by meansof a hollow nut 1| through which the web plugs 12 may be dischargedduring the perforating operation. The plugs 12 drop by gravity into ahopper 13 (Fig. 2) from which they are directed to a screw conveyor 14,whereby they may be discharged from the machine and disposed of asdesired. The plug conveyor 14 may be driven from the shaft 2i by meansof any suitable transmission such as the bevel gears 16 and sprocketshaving a chain 11 thereon.

As previously stated, the punch `and die carrlage 41 is supported forhorizontal reciprocation on the horizontal fixed shafts In order tofurther support the carriage, tracks 18 are secured thereto (Figs.l 3and 4) and supported on a series of rollers 19 mounted on the frame.This provides a rigid support and prevents sagging 'or springing of thedie bar.

Figs. and 11 illustrate in detail the perforat'A ing punch tip 50 whichis removably secured to the reduced end 59a of the punch body member 59as shown in Fig. 8. The tip is provided at one end with a cylindricalaligning portion 8|) which is accurately bored to provide a snug fit-on' a complementary aligning part of the reduced body portion 59a andis internally threaded at 8|. The working end of the tip is providedwith a hexagonal or other non/cylindrical opening 82 adapted to receivea bent rod wrench of a cross sectional shape corresponding to the shapeof the opening whereby any punch tip-may readily be attached to. orremoved from,v its supporting bodyportion without disassembling themachine. The reduced ends 5941.01 the body portions are, of course,externally threaded to receive the tips as previously described. Thehexagonal opening 82 is comparatively small so that it does notinterfere in any way with the normal action of the tip as a blunt endpunch.

The operating end of the punch is provided with radial V-shaped grooves83 to provide sharp angular peripheral edges to cut the upper fabric ofthe plaster board without mutilation before complete compression of theplug by the blunt end of the tip to cause the lower fabric to be cut bythe die. y

The V-shaped grooves 83 are preferably cut with. a ninety-degree cutterwith a ten-degree pitch toward the center of the-punch in order toprovide substantially the equivalent of a bl'unt end punch in so far asforcing the plug from the web material and through the die is concrned.The hexagonal opening 82 also provides clearance for the cutter. Inoperation, the peripheral serrations first smoothly cut the top fabricof the web and, as soon as the teeth are imbedded with sufficientpressure to compress the plug portion ofthe material, the lower fabricis cut by the die and the plug forced through until it drops from theend of the punch.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative movement of apunch and the associated' web. The angular heavy lines illustrate thevertical and horizontal movements of the end of the punch during asingle cycle, and the angularity of portions of the line indicates thespeed and acceleration and deceleration of the punch in various portionsof the cycle and particularly the relationship of certain acceleratedand decelerated movements with respect to the continuously movinghorizontal web. .The proper distribution of acceleration anddeceleration dunng the vertical reciprocation of the punch is importantin order to provide smooth-walled perforations and prevent tearing orotherwise mutilating the paper coverings of the web, and to enable highspeed quantity production.

It should be noted that, with the web traveling to the left in thedirection of the arrow, the maximum punch speed takes place between theupper surface of the web and a point about twothirds ofthe way throughthe web. This provides a smooth lcut through the upper fabric cover anda rapid punch through a material portion of the web. The punch thendecelerates to the end of the stroke to provide a smooth cut by the dieof the lower fabric cover. and during this deceleration the heavysprings 46 previously mentioned (Fig. 4) are compressed to absorb themomentum of the punches and frame or bar 4| and cause a quick reverse.After the punch is raised suiciently to be beyond the influence of theheavy springs 46, the upward movement decelerates for withdrawing thepunch from the web at a rate which will not tend to mutilate the Aup perfabric cover.

As previously mentioned, the web cutting and perforating mechanism iscombined with a web manufacturing device and conveyor to provide anintegral structure. This is illustrated dia` grammatically in Fig. 'I inconnection with a control mechanism for simultaneously starting andstopping the web manufacturing device and conveyor and the cuttingmechanism. The drive shaft 2| is necessarily very long and underconsiderable torsional strain. which causes a denite twist in the shaftduring operation. It is desirable, in order to prevent overrun andmaintain accuracy irrespective'of starts and stops, that the webmanufacturing mechanism and the cutting and perforatirigmechanismsshould be stopped simultaneously and that the torsional twist should beretained in the long drive shaft 2| while the mechanisms are stopped.This is accomplished by means of the control shown in Fig. 7 and brakingmechanism shewn in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 illustrates a web manufacturing device 9d which may be of theusual type including an elongated conveyor 85 and suitable fabricfeedingmechanisms for the paper or-other fabric covers, together withpresser rollers or the like for pressing the web after the paper isapplied. This mechanism is situated at a considerable distance from theperforating and cutting mechanism in order that the web may have time toorder to stop and start the mechanisms in a manner to accomplish thedesired results, the ily wheel 29 (Figs. 2 and 6) is provided with abrake shoe 86 pivoted on the frame at 8'l-with its upper end secured toan arm 88 which is in turn secured to ashaft 89 also pivoted on theframe. The shaft 89 is provided with'an arm 90 secured thereto andhaving a weight 9i thereon which normally retains the brake shoe indis'- engaged position. A brake operating device 92 is also mounted'ontheframe and provided with an operating portion secured to the arm 99 insuch a manner that, when the device 92 is operated, the arm 90 will beraised to cause engagement of the brake and instantly stop the flywheel29 and the perforating and cutting mechanisms associated therewith.

The brake operating means 92 may comprise any suitable device which maybe remotely controlled, preferably a device readily available on themarket and commonly known asa thruster. The thruster may be electricallycontrolled for applying the brake by closing a normally open partiallydry before it is cut into lengths. In

switch 93 (Fig. 7) in'series with the thruster I and with a suitablepower source in a circuit 99.

The flywheel 29 arid shaft 24 on which it is secured are driven from'the drive shaft 2| by means of the chain 21, and this drive shaft 2i isalso directlyconnected .at its opposite end to drive the webmanufacturing mechanism through beveled gears 9d. The drive shaft 2-I isoperatively connected to a shaft 95 constantly driven from any suitablepower source andA provided with a pinion 99 in mesh with a gear 91rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 2l. The gear 91 forms the drivingmember of a. .clutch 9S, the driven member 99 vof which is splined onthe shaft 2l for sliding movement thereon by means of a lever |09whereby the clutch may be engaged or disengaged; The switch 99 forcontrolling thev thruster 92 is positioned closely adjacent the clutchmember 99 whereby, whenthis clutch.

member is moved to disengage the clutch and stop the web A manufacturingmechanism, the switch will be closedand immediately apply the brake tothe flywheel 29 to thereby simultaneously stop the perforating andcutting mechanism. 'n

Fig. 13 illustrates a slightly modified form of stripper device. @Inthis forma punch body IDI reciprocates in a fixed bushing |02 and astripper device i03 is secuied to the bushing by means of one or moremachine screws |04. The stripper member comprises an annular ring havinga cross 4bar |05 below the lower edge of the ring and providing a shoefor engaging the upper surface of the web as the punch is raised. Thecross bar is provided with a centfal opening l'for Athe passage of thepunch tip 80. e

As previously indicated, it is sometimes desirable to provide multiplescoring between severing operations. This may be accomplished bychanging the ratio of the gears I5v and I 6 (Fig. 5v) of the camshaft/drive so that the relationship of cam 'shaft rotation tocuttershaft rotation is in accordance with the multiple scoring-requirements.For instance, if the cam shafts Il are operated at one-third the speedoftbe-cutter vos 5 shafts 8, .two scoring operations will take placebetween each cutting operation, and the web will be scored in lengthswhich are multiples of the lengths of the .severed strips. The diameter.of the cam and its conguration may easily be determined to provide thedesired depth of scoring cut. A method of multiple scoring isdiagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l5.

Modications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and it is therefore desired vthat the invention be limitedonly by theprior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

l. In the plaster board art, the combination with means for continuouslymoving a web in a horizontal plane, of continuously rotating cuttersadapted to cooperate to sever a standard plaster board length from saidweb with each rotation of said cutters, and means automaticallyoperative to intermittently adjust the radial distance of said cuttersrelative to their axes to cause said cutters alternately to sever andscoresaid web with the same cutting edges and in accordance with saidstandard board-lengths.

2; In the plaster board art, the combination with means for continuouslymoving a web in a horizontal plane, of means for perforating said movingweb, a continuously rotating pair of cutters adapted to cooperate tosever a standard plaster board length of the perforated portion of saidweb with each rotation of said cutters, means automatically operative tointermittently adjust the radial distance of said cutters to cause saidcutters alternately to sever and score said web with the same cuttingedges in accordance with said standard perforated plaster board lengths.

4and means to synchronize the successive operations of said perforatingmeans and said cutters so that all severing and scoring is accomplishedin a predetermined relationship to thek perfora i nous.

3. In the plaster board art, the combination with means for continuouslymoving a web in a horizontal plane, of means for perforating said movingweb, a continuously rotating pair of cutters adapted to cooperate tosever av standard plaster board length of the perforated portion ofAsaid web with each rotation of said cutters, means automaticallyloperative to intermittently adjust the radial distance 'of said cuttersto cause said cutters alternately to sever and score said web with thesame cutting edges in accordance with said standard perforatedplastergboord lengths, and manually operable means to prevent operationof said perforating means and permit continued operation of saidsevering and scoring means independently thereof,

4. Inl the plaster board art, the combination with means forcontinuously moving one or more webs in 'a horizontal plane, or meansfor perforating saidmoving web with successive transverse rows ofperforations. and a pair of continuously rotating cutters adapted tosimultaneously cut from opposite sides of said web with each rotation ofsaid cutters to sever a standard plaster board length .of the perforatedportion of said web intermediate rows of perforations,

and manually settable means to cause said .cute

ters to alternately score and sever said web into multiples of saidlengths.

5. In the-plaster board art, the combination with means for continuouslymoving one or more webs in a horizontal plane, of a transverse row ofvertically and horizontally reciprocating punches for perforating saidweb with successive transverse rows of perforations. and a varying'speed transmission for vertically reciprocating said punches, saidtransmission comprising means operable .to cause a maximum verticalpunch speed during the first part of the actual perforating operationand a deceleration during the latter part of said actual perforatingoperation while maintaining a lateral speed of said punchescorresponding to the movement of said web or webs.

6. In the plaster board art, the combination with means for continuouslymoving one or more webs in a horizontal plane. of a transverse .row ofvertically and horizontally reciprocating punches `for perforating saidweb with successive transverse rows of perforations, and a varying speedtransmission for vertically reciprocating said punches, saidtransmission comprising means operable to` cause a relatively high speedof said punches during at least a portion of the actual perforatingmovement and a relatively slow speed during withdrawal while maintaininga lateral speed of said punches corresponding to the speed of said webor webs.

'7. In the plaster board art, the combination With means forcontinuously moving one or more webs in a horizontal plane, of atransverse row of vertically and horizontally reciprocating punches forperforating said web with successive transverse rows of perforations, avarying speed other transmission means to move said punches laterallywith said web and at the same speed during the actual punching operationirrespective of vertical acceleration and deceleration.

8. The method of perforating continuously moving moist plaster board webwth'a serrated substantially blunt end punch having sharp with and withsaid carriage for cooperation with dies in said holder, means tosimultaneously move said carriage at a speedv corresponding to said webspeed, and means to reciprocate said punch support at varying speedthroughout its stroke.

11. A plaster board manufacturing machine comprising means forcontinuously moving a plaster board web from a web forming machine, areciprocating carriage having a die holder portion below said web and apunch guide por tion above said web, a vertically reciprocating punchsupport above said carriage, one or more punches suspended on saidsupport for movement therewith and with said carriage for cooperationwith dies in said holder, means to simultaneously move said carriage ata speed corresponding to said web speed, and means to reciprocate saidpunch support at varying speed throughout its stroke, each punch guidecompzising a reciprocating combined punch bearing and stripper, theoperation of said stripper being controlled and synchronized with thepunching operation by the movement of ysaid punch.

l2. In a web perforating machine, the combination with a horizontallyreciprocating die carriage having a punch guide associated therewith toenable a web to pass therebetween, means peripheral edges, said webhaving a fabric cov- 9. The method of perforating moist plasterV boardwith a cutting punch, said board having a fabric covering on each side,comprising forcing said punch through said board and into a cooperatingdie to remove a plaster board plug, cutting theupper fabric cover withsaid punch moving at high speed, cutting the lower fabric in the die ata reduced speed, and withdrawing said punch at a slower speed.

10. A plaster board manufacturing machine' comprising means forcontinuously moving a plaster board web from a web forming machine, areciprocating carriage having a die holder por.. tion below said web anda punch guide portion above said web. a vertically reciprocating punchsupport above said carriage, one or more punches suspended on saidsupport for movement there- Ato move said web at a uniform speed, avertically reciprocating punch supporting frame having one or morepunches suspended therefrom into said punch guide and laterally movablewith said die carriage, means to move said die carriage and punches inthe direction of movement of said web and at the same speed, and meansto move said punch support at different speeds during the perforatingand withdrawal operations.

13. In a web perforating machine, the combination with a horizontallyreciprocating die carriage having a punch guide associated therewith toenable a web to pass therebetween, means to move said web at a uniformspeed, a vertically reciprocating punch support having one or morepunches suspended therefrom into said punch guide and laterally movablewith said die carriage, means to move said die carriage and punches inthe direction of movement of said web and at the same speed, means tomove said punch support at diierent speeds during the perforating andwithdrawal operations, a resilient support for said punch carriage, andadditional resilient means effective only adjacent the end of thedownward stroke of said punch carriage to cause a rapid decelerationthereof and a quick reverse and acceleration.

14. A plaster board manufacturing machine comprising an operatingmechanism for a con- 'tinuous-web forming device and a perforatingmechanism remote from each other, a conveyor for directing acontinuously moving web through said perforating mechanism, asynchronized transmission for driving all of said mechanisms tomanufacture, continuously move, and perforate said web, a power sourcefor-said transmission, means adjacent one of said mechanisms fordsconnecting said power source, and a brake on the other mechanismcontrolled by said disconnecting means for instantaneously stopping-said other mechanism.

15. In a punching machine, a plurality 4of punches and dies to receive acontinuous moving web therebetween, guide bars, a carriage slidablymounted on said guide bars for supporting said dies and for guiding andaligning said punches with said dies, a vertically reciprocating punchsupport lhaving a slotted connection with each punch to enablelsimultaneous lateral and vertical movement thereof, means forreciprocatingsaid carriage and punches, springmeans on opp'ositesides ofsaid carriage for limiting the reciprocation of said carriage in eachdirection on said guide bars, said spring means being effective toabsorb the kinetic energy of said carriage at its extreme limits ofmovement, means for movingsaid punch support to punch holes in said web,and spring means eiective to absorb' the kinetic energy of said supportat the extreme limit of its punching stroke.

16. In a punching machine, a plurality of punches and dies to receive acontinuousmoving.

web therebetween, guide bars, a carriage slidablyl mounted on said guidebars for supporting said dies and for guiding and aligning said puncheswith said dies, a vertically reciprocating punch support having aslotted connection with each punch to enable simultaneous lateral andvertical movement thereof, means for reciprocating- 4said carriage andpunches, spring means on opposite sides of" said carriage for limitingthe reciprocation of said carriagein each-direction on said guide bars,said spring means being effective to absorb the kinetic energy of saidcarriage at its extreme limits of movement, positive means for movingsaid punch support to punch holes in said web, and impositive meanstoabsorb the kinetic energy of said support at the extreme limit of 'itspunching stroke and to move said support throughout its return stroke.

17. In a punching machine, a plurality of punches and dies to receive acontinuous moving web therebetween, guide bars, a carr-iage slidablymounted on said guide bars for supporting said dies and for guiding andaligning said punches with said dies, a vertically reciprocating punchsupport having a slotted connection with each punch to enablesimultaneous lateral and vertical movement thereof, means forreciprocating said carriage and punches, spring means on oppositel sidesof said carriage for limiting the reciprocation of said carriage in eachdirection on said guide bars, said spring means being eiective to absorbthe kinetic energy of said carriage at its A extreme limits of movement,cam means for moving said punch support to punch holes in said web,spring means to move said'support throughout its returnstroke, andadditional spring means to absorb the kinetic energy of said support atthe extreme limit of its punching stroke and to cause a quick reverse.

18. In a, punchingmachine, a punches and dies to receive a continuousmoving web therebetween, guide bars, a carriage' slidably mounted onsaid guide bars for supporting said dies and for guiding and aligningsaid punches' withv said dies, a vertically reciprocating punch supporthaving a slotted connection with each punch to enable simultaneouslateral and-vertical -movement thereof,l means for reciprocating saidcarriage and punches, spring means on opposite sides of said carriagefor limiting the reciprocation of said carriage in each direction onsaid guide bars, said` spring means being effective to absorb thelkinetic energy of said carriage at its extreme limits oi movement, cammeans for moving said punch support to punch holes in said web, a camfollower on said support, spring means associated with said support toretain said follower on said cam, and additional spring means to absorbthe kinetic energy of said port at the 'extreme limit ofitspunching'stroke to cause a quick reverse and acceleration.

19. In a plaster board perforating and cutting machine, a cross beamsupported adjacent a moving strip of material for movementat rightangles thereto, a carriage supported between said beam and said materialfor movement substanvtially parallel to said strip of material, aplurality of punches cooperatively and slidably supported by said beamand saidcarriage, whereby said punches slide relative to saidcarriageupon movement of said beam and slide relative to said beam uponmovement of said carriage, combined punch bearings and stripper platesslidably mounted in saidcarriage and associated with said punches, meansresponsive to reciprocation of said punches relative to said carriagefor reciprocating said stripperrplates in timed relation to saidpunches, cam means for moving said beam and punches and stripper platesat right angles to said strip of material to cause said stripper platesperiodically to engage said material and said punches periodically toperforate said material, means for reciprocating said carriage to movesaid punches and stripper plates with said material during said engagingand` piercing operation, means for alternately cutting and scoring saidweb between perforatlons at transverse lines spaced in accordance withstandard plaster board lengths, and a positive transmission betweensaid' perforating means and said'cutting means for synchronizing all ofsaid operations.

2o. In a plaster board pei-forming and cutting of said punches, andmeans synchronized withv said punches for alternately severing andscoring said web between predetermined transverse rows of perforations.

- l 21. ma machine of the character describes having means forcontinuously moving a plaster board web having upper and lower fabriccovers and means for cutting said web into predeter- 'plurality of Imined lengths, the combination with perforating punches and cooperating'dies, of means 'for reciprocating said punches and dies through aperforating cycle in synchronism with said moving web and moving saidpunches relative to said dies during the first part of the actualperforating portion of the punch cycle at a high speed materiallygreater than the linear speed of said web to cut said upper fabric andcompress the plug portions of said web and then reduce the speed -ofsaid punches. during the remainder of said actual perforating portion ofsaid cycle to force said plug portionsthrough said dies whereby saidlower fabric is out solely by said dies and pressure of said plugportions thereon, said punches comprising blunt-end working portionswith the end lsurfaces having substantially V-shaped radial groovestherein adapted to rst perforate said upper fabric with a peripheral rowof perforations ang cut between said perforations with a shearing cu v22. In a perforating machine of the character described for moistplaster board having upper and lower fabric covers, a die, a punch-forcooperation with said die, and means for movingsaid punch at varyingspeed through said plaster board, said punch comprising an externallythreaded body portion and a tip having an upper cylindrical aligningportion for snugly telescoping a complementary aligning body portion,said tip being internally threaded intermediate its length for mountingon said threaded body portion, said punch having an opening in theworking face thereof adapted to receive a wrench for securing andremoving said tip.

23. In a plaster board perforating machine of the character described;the combination with a punch body having a reduced end portion with itslower end threaded to receive a perforating tip and forming a tipaligning portion above said threads, a tip having an upper cylindricalalign- 'ing portion for snug telescopic aligning cooperation with saidbody and terminating in internal threads for securing said tip on saidbody, said tip having a restricted axial opening therein to receive awrench, the working face of said tip having radial V-shaped groovesadapted to provide sharp angular peripheral shearing edges and ablunt-end punch face.

24In the plasterboard art, the combination with means for continuouslyforming and moving one or more fabric covered webs in a horizontal planebetween punches and dies, of a plurality of vertically and horizontallyreciprocating punches for perforating said web with successive groups ofperforations, the face of a punch having a series of radial teethforming sharp peripheral points with substantially V-shaped notchestherebetween, the radial apex of each tooth extending angularly upwardtoward the vertical punch axis and the base line between said teethclosely approaching the horizontal, said teeth being materially shorterthan the thickness of the plasterboard to be perforated and with sharpcutting edges between the points, so that said punch will firstperforate the upper plasterboard fabric cover with a peripheral row ofperforations and cut said fabric between said perforations with ashearing cut, then apply substantially the equivalent of blunt-end punchpressure to the plasterboard plug portion to cut the lower fabric solelyby the die and force the plug therethrough in the usual punch and` diemanner, and means to cause relatively high speed of said punches throughthe cutting of the upper fabric and initial compression of the plug anda relatively slower speed during the remainder of the punching stroke.

25. In the plasterboard art, the combination with means for continuouslyforming and moving one or more fabric covered webs in a horizontal planebetween punches and dies, of a plurality of vertically and horizontallyreciprocating punches for perforating said web with successive groups ofperforations, the face of a punch having a series of radial teethforming sharp peripheral points with substantially V-shaped notchestherebetween, the radial apex of each tooth extending angularly upwardtoward the vertical punch axis and the base line between said teethclosely approaching the horizontal, said teeth being materially shorterthan the thickness of the

